Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

"Miss Protection!"

The Gao family servants picked up sticks, but dared not step forward, instead retreating around Gao Cuilan.

Old Gao was so frightened that he fell off his chair, dropping his cane to the side.

"Who...who are you, you monster?!"

Pigsy was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet.

"Father-in-law, please let me explain! I am the reincarnation of Marshal Tianpeng from Heaven, but this is my temporary form."

"fart!"

Old Gao picked up his cane and pointed at him with trembling hands.

"My Gao family has treated you well, yet you dare to deceive my daughter's feelings!"

Gao Cuilan had already lifted her veil, and her pretty face was now filled with fear and tears.

"You...you've been lying to me all along?"

Her voice choked with emotion, and her eyes were filled with despair.

Pigsy felt as if his heart was being torn apart, and quickly took two steps forward.

“Cuilan, my feelings for you are genuine! I can explain.”

"do not come!"

Gao Cuilan screamed and retreated, hiding behind a servant.

"I never want to see you again!"

Old Gao mustered his courage, raised his cane, and struck Zhu Ganglie hard across the face.

"Get out of the Gao family! You monster!"

This blow struck Zhu Bajie's heart like a blow.

Looking at the fear and disgust in Gao Cuilan's eyes, he felt dizzy.

A primal, malevolent energy surged from his dantian to his head, and his eyes began to turn red.

"Why...why won't you even give me a chance to explain?"

His voice became hoarse, and fangs protruded from the corners of his mouth.

The guests scattered and fled, and the situation completely spiraled out of control.

Zhu Ganglie felt his magical power was in disarray, and his demonic energy was leaking out uncontrollably.

A sudden gust of wind arose out of nowhere, overturning the wedding tent, tearing the red silk to shreds, and shattering the lanterns one by one.

"It's all your fault! You forced me to this!"

Pigsy roared to the sky, his voice like thunder.

He completely lost control, revealing his true form, which was three zhang tall, with fangs like knives and mane like needles.

The enormous pig demon rampaged through the Gao family compound, causing houses to collapse, walls to crumble, and innocent servants to be buried under the rubble, their cries of agony echoing everywhere.

Old Gao, holding his daughter's hand, fled in panic through the swirling dust.

Gao Cuilan glanced back at her once gentle and considerate "husband," who had now become a bloodthirsty demon, and tears blurred her vision.

"Cuilan, don't go."

When Zhu Ganglie saw his lover fleeing, his rationality returned slightly, and he stretched out his claws to try to stop him.

But all he received in response was Gao Cuilan's heart-wrenching cries.

I hate you! I never want to see you again!

These words were like a sharp sword, piercing Zhu Ganglie's heart completely.

He stood frozen amidst the ruins, watching the Gao family father and daughter disappear into the distance. The red light in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by endless despair.

"how so."

He knelt down, transformed back into human form, but his face was already covered in tears.

All I really want is a home.

High in the clouds, Guanyin Bodhisattva withdrew her magic and nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s more like it. How can one temper one’s will if one is indulging in pleasure? The journey to the West needs protectors with stories to tell, just like you.”

She turned and rode away on a cloud, leaving Zhu Ganglie alone in the ruins, burying his face in his hands and weeping.

What was once a beautiful marriage is now nothing but a mess; what was once a tender lover now sees him as an enemy.

Pigsy roared to the sky.

"God! Why are you playing such a cruel joke on me!"

The roar echoed across the empty fields, but no one answered.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the eaves of Gao Laozhuang, but could not penetrate Gao Cuilan's tightly closed door.

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered, illuminating her pale, paper-white face.

"Have you heard? Miss Gao actually married a pig demon!"

"Tsk tsk, what a misfortune for the family! Old Master Gao's lifelong reputation is ruined."

The whispers outside the window slithered into Gao Cuilan's ears like venomous snakes. She bit her lower lip hard until she tasted blood.

Her haggard face was reflected in the bronze mirror; her once bright eyes were now empty.

"Miss, please eat something."

The maid, Xiaolian, carried the food, which had long since gone cold, her voice trembling.

Gao Cuilan slowly shook her head, her slender fingers stroking the red silk on the dressing table—the one she used when she married Zhu Ganglie.

A tear fell onto the silk, spreading a dark stain.

"go out."

Her voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible.

After the door closed, Gao Cuilan stood up tremblingly and took out a white silk ribbon from the bottom of the trunk.

The fabric slid through her hands like water as she looked up at the rafters, her eyes filled with determination.

"It is better to die than to live in humiliation."

The moment the white ribbon was wrapped around her neck, a gust of wind suddenly burst through the window.

The candlelight flickered violently, and a dark shadow flashed by like lightning, its thick arm tearing the deadly white silk ribbon in two.

"Miss!"

Pigsy's cry of alarm was filled with heart-wrenching pain.

Gao Cuilan fell into a furry embrace, and a strong smell of pig wafted towards her.

She suddenly opened her eyes and met a pair of bloodshot eyes filled with pain and fear she had never seen before.

"let me go!"

Gao Cuilan struggled desperately, her fingernails digging deep into Zhu Ganglie's arm.

"Let me die!"

Zhu Ganglie remained motionless, letting the blood drip down his arm.

His fangs gleamed coldly in the moonlight, yet his voice was unbelievably gentle.

"I, Old Pig, would rather you hate me than have you die."

Gao Cuilan suddenly stopped struggling, looked up and stared intently at the ugly pig face, her eyes filled with hatred as sharp as knives.

"Hate you? Of course I hate you! You ruined my life!"

Her voice suddenly rose.

"Do you know what the villagers say about me? They say I'm worse than an animal, a despicable person! They say I'm like a pig!"

Her words came to an abrupt halt, and tears streamed down her face.

Zhu Ganglie's pupils contracted sharply, and he trembled as he released his grip and took two steps back.

"I, Old Pig, I really like you."

His voice was rough, like sandpaper being rubbed.

"That day by the river, you were bandaging the injured fawn, and your smile was so beautiful. I've never seen such a kind girl."

Gao Cuilan gave a cold laugh and staggered to her feet.

"So you used sorcery to bewitch my father and force me to marry you? Is this what you call 'love'?"

Zhu Ganglie was struck dumb, his long snout opened but he couldn't utter a word.

Under the moonlight, his tall figure appeared somewhat hunched.

I thought I could bring you happiness.

He whispered, his rough fingers unconsciously rubbing the nine-toothed rake.

"I can farm, I'm strong, and I can give you a good life."

"happiness?"

Gao Cuilan's voice suddenly became sharp.

Look at myself now!

She pulled open her collar, revealing shocking marks on her neck from ligatures.

"This is the happiness you gave me!"

With a red light in his eyes, Zhu Ganglie suddenly strode forward and picked up Gao Cuilan.

The woman screamed and her fists rained down on his broad back.

"Let me go! You beast!"

Ignoring everyone's words, Zhu Bajie carried her out of the room and headed straight for the inner quarters in full view of everyone.

The Gao family's servants scattered in terror, some screaming, "The pig demon is killing people!"

"Listen up, everyone!" Zhu Ganglie's voice boomed like thunder, shaking the roof tiles.

"From now on, I'll live in this back courtyard! Who dares to bully my wife?"

He slammed the rake into the ground, and the bluestone slab shattered with a crash.

"This is what happens!"

Gao Cuilan trembled in his arms, whether from fear or anger, it was hard to tell.

Zhu Ganglie looked down at her, and the ferocity in his eyes instantly turned into bitterness.

"My wife, give me a chance."

"I'd rather die."

Gao Cuilan spoke slowly and deliberately, the hatred in her eyes making Zhu Ganglie feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Just as tensions were about to rise, a golden light suddenly descended from the sky.

Pigsy instinctively shielded Gao Cuilan behind him, holding his nine-toothed rake horizontally in front of his chest.

"Amitabha."

A woman in white appeared in the golden light, standing on a lotus platform and holding a vase; she was none other than Guanyin Bodhisattva.

She had a kind and gentle face, yet she made Pigsy's hair stand on end.

"Marshal Tianpeng, how have you been?"

Guanyin's voice was like a clear spring flowing, yet it carried an irresistible majesty.

Pigsy's rake trembled slightly. He suddenly sprang up, the sharp tip of the rake aimed straight at Guanyin's face! However, the seemingly thunderous strike stopped abruptly three feet away from Guanyin, as if it had hit an invisible wall.

"Buddha!"

Gao Cuilan suddenly broke free from Zhu Ganglie's embrace and knelt on the ground.

"Please, Bodhisattva, subdue this pig demon and restore my innocence!"

Guanyin nodded slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on Zhu Ganglie.

"You were originally the commander of the 100,000-strong naval force of the Heavenly River, but you were banished to the mortal realm for violating heavenly rules. Why do you still commit evil?"

Zhu Ganglie's eyes showed struggle, then he lowered his head, his voice deep and thunderous.

"Bodhisattva, you are wise! I, Old Pig, am Marshal Tianpeng. I was punished by the Jade Emperor with two thousand blows for harassing Chang'e and was banished to the mortal realm. I was mistakenly reborn as a pig."

He spoke the words everyone wanted to hear, but inside he was seething with rage.

The tampered memory fragments flashing through his mind weren't about flirting with Chang'e at all! He was framed!
Now that you know the cause and effect, are you willing to take refuge?

The willow branch in Guanyin's hand swayed gently.

"Soon a pilgrim will pass through this place. You can become his disciple and travel to the Western Paradise to atone for your sins."

Zhu Ganglie's tusks clenched together, and he caught a glimpse of Gao Cuilan's expectant eyes out of the corner of his eye.

He suddenly laughed, a laugh tinged with indescribable desolation.

"May the Bodhisattva have mercy, I am willing."

Guanyin nodded in satisfaction, and with a wave of her hand, a golden light entered Zhu Ganglie's brow.

"In that case, I will bestow upon you the name 'Wuneng' and grant you the precepts by touching your head. I hope you will diligently cultivate morality, concentration, and wisdom, and extinguish greed, anger, and ignorance."

Zhu Ganglie, now known as Zhu Wuneng, knelt and kowtowed, his forehead pressed against the cold ground, concealing the surging hatred in his eyes.

"Disciple will humbly follow the Bodhisattva's teachings."

Guanyin then looked at Gao Cuilan.

"Don't worry, female benefactor, he will not bother you again."

Having said that, he transformed into golden light and vanished into the night sky.

The courtyard returned to silence, leaving only a mess on the ground and two people, each lost in their own thoughts.

Gao Cuilan slowly got up, not even glancing at Zhu Wuneng, and turned to walk into the inner room.

Her back was ramrod straight, as if the weakness she had just shown had never existed.

"Cuilan."

Zhu Wuneng called out softly, but received no response.

As the night wind rose, it dispersed the stench of blood from the courtyard.

Zhu Wuneng looked up at the full moon, and the despair in his eyes receded like the tide, replaced by a chilling rage.

"What a clever way to atone for one's sins!"

He murmured softly, his rough fingers tracing the nine sharp teeth of the rake.

"Heavenly Court, Buddhism, you've conspired to alter my memories, making me bear the infamy of harassing Chang'e."

Under the moonlight, Zhu Wuneng's figure seemed even taller.

He turned and walked out of the courtyard, each step heavy as thunder.

"Just wait. Wait until I, Old Pig, have mastered these supernatural powers."

His voice was deep and resonant, like an echo from hell.

"We must stain Mount Ling with blood and avenge this debt!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva, standing on a lotus platform, swept across the clouds, her white robes fluttering in the wind.

She had just left Yunzhan Cave in Fuling Mountain, and the process of Zhu Ganglie's conversion to Buddhism was so smooth that it raised suspicions.

"It went too smoothly."

The Bodhisattva frowned, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the willow branch in the jade vase.

She remembered the Buddha's profound words of advice before she left.

"This journey to the West is of great importance, and we must act in advance to avoid any mishaps."

The lotus platform suddenly stopped in mid-air. Guanyin calculated with her fingers and realized that the original planned route was to enlighten the White Dragon at Eagle's Sorrow Gorge, and then go to Five Elements Mountain to visit the monkey.

But at that moment, a sense of foreboding suddenly arose in her heart, as if an invisible hand was disrupting the workings of fate.

"Lin Zhu."

The Bodhisattva parted her red lips slightly and uttered this name that even the most powerful beings in the Three Realms kept silent about.

If anyone could disrupt the plot of Journey to the West, it would be this person.

The lotus platform suddenly turned, transforming into a streak of light that shot straight towards Mount Kunlun.

Guanyin was determined to find this anomaly who was wandering the Three Realms and warn him not to interfere in the grand plans of Buddhism.

The Kunlun Mountains were shrouded in mist, and the clear cries of cranes echoed through the air. Guanyin descended from the clouds, about to enter the mountain gate, when suddenly her pupils contracted.
"The Emperor of Fengdu?"

In front of the mountain gate, a burly man wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat was wielding giant shears to trim the bushes.

Hearing the call, he slowly turned around, revealing the majestic face of the ruler of the underworld.

But at this moment, his face was covered in mud, and his coarse cloth clothes were rolled up to his knees, making him look like an old farmer in the fields.

"What brings you here, Bodhisattva?"

The Emperor of Fengdu spoke in a deep voice, the scissors in his hand gleaming coldly.

Guanyin was shocked.

Why would the Emperor be working here?

"I am now a gardener of Kunlun Mountain."

Fengdu snapped a horizontal branch off.

Mr. Lin said that labor is the most glorious thing.

The Bodhisattva's eye twitched slightly.

What methods did Lin Zhu use to make the Lord of the Underworld willingly become a gardener?
"I have come to see Lin Zhu."

Guanyin got straight to the point.

"This concerns the grand plan of the Journey to the West, please..."

"do not know."

The Emperor of Fengdu interrupted her, pressing the scissors against the ground.

"Mr. Lin's whereabouts are uncertain. Please return, Bodhisattva."

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Guanyin noticed that the veins on the hand holding the scissors in Fengdu were bulging, clearly indicating that it was not an ordinary farming tool.

She suddenly realized that the ruler of the underworld was wary of her.

"Does Your Majesty know the consequences of interfering with the great cause of Buddhism?"

The Bodhisattva's tone turned cold.

The Emperor of Fengdu suddenly grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth.

"Does the Bodhisattva know the consequences of trespassing on private property?"

He raised the scissors, and an eerie aura instantly filled the air.

"Would you like to try out my newly acquired Nine Nether Profound Iron Scissors?"

Guanyin took a half step back.

These scissors were actually made from the black iron used to suppress the eighteen levels of hell! She gave Fengdu a deep look, then turned and rode away on a cloud.

The sound of scissors snapping came from behind, accompanied by a strange little tune hummed by Fengdu.

"We workers have power."

The lotus platform soared straight up to the ninth heaven, and Guanyin's face was gloomy.

Fengdu's attitude speaks volumes; Lin Zhu's influence has already infiltrated the upper echelons of the underworld.

She made a hand seal, turned around, and headed straight for the Thunderclap Temple in the Western Paradise.

Inside the main hall, the golden statue of the Buddha stands majestically.

After listening to Guanyin's report, a golden lotus appeared in his palm, its heart reflecting scenes of the human world. (End of Chapter)